Violence Prevention Program

The Violence Prevention Program, formally known as Every Two Minutes and One in Four, is the student-based sexual assault prevention, education, and bystander awareness organization at Santa Clara University, operating out of the SCU Wellness Center (located in Kennedy Commons).

Mission

The Violence Prevention Program is a peer-based organization aimed at spreading awareness and education about sexual assault at SCU and empowering the student body to be proactive bystanders to protect fellow Broncos. The Violence Prevention Program also aims to be a resource for those who are survivors of sexual assault for friends of survivors.

Description

Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted in the US, and 1 in 4 or 5 college-aged women are the victims of rape or attempted rape (US Dept of Justice). Students play an important role in preventing sexual assault on campus. The Violence Prevention Program, formerly known as Every 2 Minutes/1 in 4, works toward prevention and early intervention of sexual assault at SCU by educating and bringing about awareness to the SCU community, empowering bystanders to take action to prevent sexual assault and violence, and working toward cultural change with a reduction in sexual and relationship violence.

Although it might be intimidating to ask a friend if something is wrong, it is always better to ask than ignore the problem. Even if it’s not because of a sexual assault, your friend probably has something he or she needs to talk about.

How to help a friend who has been sexually assaulted:

Let your friend know you are there to help.

Let her/him know that it is NOT HER/HIS FAULT!

Listen actively to what she/he wants to tell you.

Believe everything she/he is telling you.

She/he is vulnerable and trusting you in order to open up.

Do not pry for information.

She/he will voluntarily tell you what she/he is comfortable with.

Do NOT question her/him about anything.

Don’t ask what she/he was wearing.

Don’t ask how much she/he had to drink.

These questions can make her/him feel as though you are passing judgment.

Encourage your friend to tell a professional trained to deal with sexual assault and get help.

Go to the hospital and ask for a SART nurse.

File a police report.

Go to his/her CF, RM, RD, faculty of staff member.

Utilize the on and off-campus resources.

If she/he does not feel comfortable getting additional help yet, do not force her/him.

Respect her/his confidentiality and do not tell anyone what she/he disclosed to you.

How to be an effective bystander for a friend:

Try to come up with a plan or signal before going out so that you know when to step in if your friend needs help

Come up with a distraction or way to shift the attention, such as saying to your friend, “Hey, can you help me find the bathroom?”

How to be an effective bystander for a acquaintance/stranger:

If you’re uncomfortable approaching a stranger, bring a friend or two to help intervene. You don’t have to do it alone

There is power and safety in numbers so intervening as a group can an effective method for getting involved

Approach everyone in a non-threatening manner and avoid antagonistic behavior